DOWNTOWN DETROIT IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS! A Little Planning Will Go a Long Way on Your Opening Day Commute

DETROIT – For fans who might not have ventured into downtown since the World Series last fall, some planning for the drive in on Opening Day might be in order

DETROIT – For fans who might not have ventured into downtown since the World Series last fall, some planning for the drive in on Opening Day might be in order to make arrival and departure as easy as possible. 

  

The Tigers will begin defending their 2006 American League Championship on Monday, April 2 at 1:05 p.m. by playing host to the Toronto Blue Jays at Comerica Park. Gates to the ballpark will open at 10:30 a.m. and the club is advising all fans to plan on arriving early. Beginning at 12:30 that day, a special pre-game ceremony will be held to recognize last year’s pennant winning team and to introduce the 2007 Tigers. 

  

With the full closure of the Lodge Freeway between Eight Mile Road and M-8 in February, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has created a series of Destination Maps to assist motorists with freeway-to-freeway routes into the city. The Destination Maps are available online at www.michigan.gov/mdot. 

  

“The Lodge is wide open south of I-94 and is a great option for fans heading into the downtown area,” said Rob Morosi from the MDOT Office of Communications. “Using this portion of the Lodge will allow fans to enter downtown from the west and avoid congested areas around the ballpark. 

  

“Another option would be to take I-375 south and enter downtown east of the ballpark,” Morosi added. “Traditionally, we see a lot of congestion at the Grand River exit from I-75. Finding alternatives to access the ballpark from the west or south would save fans some valuable time.” 

  

Due to construction on Woodward Avenue at the I-75 service drive, it is anticipated that traffic will be very heavy and slow on Woodward around the ballpark. It is highly recommended that drivers use ancillary roads and stay to the west and south entering downtown. 

  

Information about parking locations throughout downtown is available at www.tigers.com. Fans should click on “Comerica Park” at the top of the home page. A drop down menu will appear under the Comerica Park header and fans should click on the link, “Getting to the Park.” The link provides a downtown Detroit map and indicates locations where surface lots or garages are available. 

  

Olympia Entertainment’s Parking Services Department operates and manages approximately 4,500 parking spaces adjacent to Comerica Park and the Fox Theatre. However, the majority of these lots around the ballpark are sold out, but limited spaces are available behind the Fox Theatre. 

  

Fans looking for day of game parking are advised to enter on the east or west sides of downtown, then look for garage or surface lots in those areas. Many of the lots are in walking distance of the park, or near Detroit People Mover locations, which can drop fans as close as Woodward and Witherell, just two blocks from Comerica Park. Parking will also be available in the Ford Field parking deck, and numerous city and private garages and lots south of the ballpark. 

  

Those fans that plan to ride on bar, restaurant or casino shuttle buses will still be dropped off at Adams and Witherell, which is the same location as last season.